At each of its shows, Parrots of the Caribbean performs with one motto in mind: “Life is what you make it … and we make it fun.”
For two decades, the Ohio-based tribute act’s high-energy original stage shows have put the rock in tropical rock as it salutes singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.
As they perform renditions of Buffett’s biggest songs and their original Cajun and country-rock hits, attendees dressed in their favorite island wear, from grass skirts to leis to board shorts to sunglasses, are encouraged to laugh, sing, dance, conga and party the night away.
The band has performed throughout the United States and Canada, and on Thursday night, it will make its local debut.
While the group has played all over Indiana for many years, lead singer Dave Albrecht said this will be the first show in Seymour.
“Looking forward to performing at their venue, meeting and having a good time with the crowd. We put on a fun show,” he said.
Thursday’s Seymour CityJam show starts at 6:30 p.m. at the JCB Pavilion at Crossroads Community Park, 101 E. Tipton St., Seymour. Admission is free. The Pines will have food and beverages available for purchase starting at 6 p.m.
This is the eighth season of the summer concert series. Seymour Main Street was able to secure all five of the acts that were scheduled to perform in 2020 but were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Albrecht said Parrots of the Caribbean formed in 2000. He not only is a Buffett fan, but he also said he looks and sounds like the singer.
He got together with Gary Rigmaiden and Greg Martin, and the rest is history.
“The positive vibes and fun music,” Albrecht said of what drew them to be a Buffett tribute act. “The way the crowds respond to the whole Buffett experience is so great and engaging.”
Albrecht also plays harmonica and ukulele, while Rigmaiden plays bass guitar and sings, Martin is the drummer and provides vocals, Gary Hill is on lead guitar and vocals and Kenny Rice is on keyboards and vocals. All five live in Dayton, Ohio.
Over the years, the band also has played at events in Mexico and had the honor of performing for American troops in Okinawa, Japan. Albrecht said the latter show was the most memorable.
“It was a true honor to entertain for them,” he said.
Of Buffett’s hits, Albrecht said “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “Fins” are the songs that resonate the most with audiences.
As seasoned musicians, the band members also write their own songs, so they include those in their shows, too. About a dozen years ago, they released a CD, “Cool Bayou.”
“We found that collectively, we tend to write together in the same style of music as Buffett, so our originals fit right in with the show,” Albrecht said.
Those attending Thursday’s show will experience “a Jimmy Buffett tribute act like none other,” Albrecht said.
“They will hear Jimmy’s hits and then some,” he said. “They can expect to dance, conga, sing. It’s a family-fun show that we believe they will enjoy.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Here’s the remaining 2021 lineup for Seymour Main Street’s Seymour CityJam summer concert series:
Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy Buffett cover band, Thursday
Naked Karate Girls, a party band, July 15
Sweet Tea Trio, a Nashville recording artist, Aug. 19
Nashville Yacht Club Band, a ’60s/’70s yacht rock group, Sept. 16
All shows will start at 6:30 p.m. at the JCB Pavilion at Crossroads Community Park, 101 E. Tipton St., Seymour. Admission is free. The Pines will have food and beverages available for purchase starting at 6 p.m.
Sponsors are JCB, The Tribune, Voss and Sons Funeral Service, CPR Cell Phone Repair and Schneck Medical Center.
[sc:pullout-text-end]